Additive and a method for improving combustion efficiency and reducing overall emissions of carbon-based combustible materials

ABSTRACT

A non-toxic, non-hazardous, environmentally friendly additive mainly including hydrogen and oxygen with minor amounts of elemental aluminum in less or about 3% by weight. The additive improves the combustion efficiency of all carbon-based combustible materials by increasing the burning efficiency and reducing the overall emissions of the combustible materials.

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/602,774 filed on Feb. 24, 2012, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a revolutionary new type of combustionadditive for ad carbon-based combustible materials and a method ofmanufacture and application thereof. One embodiment of the additiveincludes hydrogen, oxygen, and elemental aluminum (as opposed tocompounds of aluminum). The additive and corresponding method arecheaper and more effective than nearly any other methods currently usedto accomplish the purpose of improving combustion efficiency andreducing emissions of all carbon-based combustible materials. Theyrequires no major alterations of the current combustion systems, andfundamentally improves the efficiency of the combustion and thereforereduces the emissions it produces. As such, the potential benefit to theenvironment is so great that it can hardly be overstated.

Additionally, considering the current hydrocarbon fuel cost, the currentenvironmental requirements and regulations, the limitations on availablealternatives to major electricity supply, and the demand for industrialcombustion materials, such a new additive is of equal economicimportance.

It is noted that citation or identification of any document in thisapplication is not an admission that such document is available as priorart to the present invention.

Applicant knows of no comparable processes of producing an additive withsuch high purity of hydrogen and oxygen that aids the combustion ofcarbon-based materials.

Most the current methods of reducing combustion emissions are eithervery costly or not very effective. Most of these methods require majorinstallation tat new equipment. Some methods only superficially reducethe emissions released into the atmosphere without fundamentallyaddressing the reduction of the source of the emissions, thereby failingto provide a final resolution to the emissions produced.

Some of the most noted technologies, such as the “clean coal”technology, reduce the combustion emissions into the atmosphere bystoring the emissions underground. Such technology neither reduces thecombustion's emissions themselves nor provides a resolution to theemissions after their storage. Rather, these technologies simply movethe emissions from the air into the ground The long-term consequences ofsuch methods require much further research, and their environmentalbenefits are questionable. In addition, these technologies are verycostly to implement.

Other technologies may use chemical additives to reduce the emissionsproduced by the combustion, but are mostly very expensive and, again,simply remove the emissions after the emissions are already produced,instead of reducing the production of the emissions themselves from thecombustion.

There also exists technology, such as “chemical looping”, which producesoxides by subjecting certain types of metal to certain conditionsresulting in oxidation of the metal. The oxides are then added to theboiler in order to provide additional oxygen to aid the combustion.However, this type of technology requires the installation of additionalequipment and the result is not every effective.

Air is also commonly used to aid the combustion of boilers. However, tiehigh content of nitrogen in the air creates the issue of undesirable NOxemission.

Pure oxygen is one of the most ideal combustion additives to improve thecombustion efficiency and control combustion emissions. However, pureoxygen is very costly.

It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claimsand/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising”and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law;e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like;and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consistsessentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law,e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but excludeelements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novelcharacteristic of the invention.

It is further noted that the invention does not intend to encompasswithin the scope of the invention any previously disclosed product,process of making the product or method of using the product, whichmeets the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO(35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph) or the EPO (Article 83 of the EPC),such that applicant(s) reserve the right to disclaim, and herebydisclose a disclaimer of, any previously described product, method ofmaking the product, or process of using the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a new classor family of combustion additives, which is non-toxic, non-hazardous andnon-volatile.

It is a further object of the present invention to create a new class orfamily of combustion additive, which is safe and easy to handle, store,and transport.

It is further an object of the present invention to create a new classor family of combustion additives, which contains potent amounts ofhydrogen and oxygen molecules H₂ and O₂) and ions (i.e., H¹⁺ and O²⁺)bonded stably by particles of aluminum without the potential of ignitionand or explosion.

It is a still further object of the present invention to create a methodof carrying hydrogen and oxygen molecules in a high purity form.

It is yet another object of the present invention to create a new classor family of combustion additives which, when combined with thecombustible material, renders the combustion with a much superiorcombustion efficiency, thereby outputting more energy and reducing theoverall emissions of the combustion.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to create a newclass or family of combustion additives, which is non explosive, stableover a wide range of temperatures, and which has a long shelf life(e.g., about, but not limited to, 6 years).

It is another object of the present invention to create a new class orfamily of combustion additives, which may conveniently be utilized in awide variety of external combustion burners (e.g., burners typicallyfound in electric power generation plants), and which may be readilyapplied to coal or other carbon-based combustible materials.

It is yet another object of the present invention to create a new classor family of combustion additives that utilizes the infinities of theattraction between silicon and carbon.

It is yet still another further object of the present invention tocreate a new class or family of combustion additives which utilizes thesilicon (e.g., activated hexagonal silicon) content that exists asimpurities contained in certain materials such as metals (e.g.,aluminum).

The additive designed by this inventor supplies high purity hydrogen andoxygen to aid in the combustion of nearly all carbon-based combustiblematerials. The additive increases combustion efficiency, creates noadditional emissions, and further reduces emissions currently producedby the combustion such as NOx, SOx, and carbon emissions.

The additive is easy to produce, and uses only widely available andeconomical raw materials. The additive is also safe to store, transport,and handle. It is non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-volatile. Inaddition, the additive is easy to apply, and requires no majorinstallation of new equipment or alteration to the existing combustionsystem. It is applied by simply mixing the additive into the combustiblematerial prior to combustion. The amount of additive in the finalcombustible material/additive combination should be at least 1% byweight/mass. Preferably, the amount of the additive in the finalcombination should be from 1% to 6% by weight/mass, more preferably from1.5% to 4% by weight/mass, and most preferably around 2% by weight/mass.

The additive utilizes the phenomena of the infinity between carbon andsilicon. Further, the additive utilizes the fact that there often existsminor amount of activated hexagonal silicon within the impurities ofcertain materials like metal. An example of such a metal is aluminum.However, any material, with activated hexagonal silicon would also work.As such, all metals (unless 100% pure) would be suitable. Most alloyscreated below temperature at about 2,000° F. also contain activatedhexagonal silicon, and thus are also suitable materials. Iridium canalso be used, even though it does not contain activated hexagonalsilicon. Other suitable examples include most stones that are theresults of earth formation, especially the ones formed during TriassicEra and Permian Era.

This invention is revolutionary, economical, environmentally friendly,and user friendly.

In one embodiment of the invention suitable for production on alaboratory scale, a simple bar or rod of aluminum is first, subjected toa chemical bath to remove any oxide film or coating which may be presenton the surface of such bar or rod. Many acid solutions are known to thealuminum art which are capable of removing such surface oxide films.Depending upon the particular acid selected and its strength, it may ormay not be necessary to stabilize or halt this surface reaction bytreating the bar or rod with an appropriate basic chemical or compoundafter the oxide has been removed.

The oxide-free aluminum work piece may then be at least partially, ifnot completely, immersed in a bath of mercury or a source of mercury. Itis desirable to leave the work piece so immersed until the mercury haspenetrated the surface of the aluminum to a depth of approximately 5microns (the precise depth of penetration is not critical, andacceptable results may be obtained with more or less penetration). Inany event, the time required for adequate penetration is not long.Typically, 10 to 20 minutes is sufficient.

The mercury-penetrated aluminum work piece may then be at leastpartially immersed in a halogen acid solution. Immersion of around halfthe length of such work piece has been found convenient forlaboratory-scale production. On the portion of the work piece exposed tothe atmosphere, growth of a certain aluminum-hydrogen-oxygen complex maybe observed to occur (similar growth on the submerged portion will alsooccur but will be difficult if not impossible to observe). This growthwill fall off the work piece and into the surrounding, solution.Therefore, a barrier should be established above the solution to catchand collect the growth. Such growth shall continue until the work pieceis completely consumed by the process.

During the process of such growth, adjustment of and/or addition to thehalogen acid solution may be needed if depletion is observed. Thehalogen acid solution that immerses the work piece should be kept atmostly the same quantity and quality.

The collected growth forms the additive, and can be then fed and wellmixed into the combustible materials shortly prior to the combustion.

The amount of additive to be used is dependant somewhat on the type ofcombustible materials in subject. However, in many cases, it requiresless than 10% by weight (such as in the case of coal combustion).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA NGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of the firststage of a process for producing a combustion additive;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1, showing another optionalembodiment of the first stage of a process for producing a combustionadditive;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1, showing formation of a“growth” in an HCl, bath in one embodiment of the second stage of aprocess for producing a combustion additive (in this embodiment, thealuminum is disposed substantially equidistant from the sides and bottomof the vessel);

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the structure of silicon impurities normallyfound in aluminum, other metals, and other materials, even in materialsof high purity;

FIG. 5 is a depiction of the hexagonal structure of the complex “growth”in stages two and three of a process for producing a combustionadditive;

FIG. 6 depiction of a collection device to collect the complex “growth”in stages two and three of a process for producing a combustionadditive; and

FIG. 7 is another method of collecting and removing the complex “growth”in stages two and three of a process for producing a combustionadditive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional inthis art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherelements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However,because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussionof such elements is not provided herein.

The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis ofexemplary embodiments.

It is to be understood throughout this specification that the variousdescriptions therein are not to be construed as in any way limiting thescope or applicability of the present invention. Numerous embodimentsand variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art upon a careful study and understanding of theaforementioned drawings, and the principles and discoveries explainedherein. In addition, it is to be understood that the details set forthin the preceding and following descriptions are not in themselveslimitations upon the present invention, but merely describe theembodiments of the invention preferred by the inventors.

It should be noted that when ordinary commercial grade aluminum isintroduced into a hydrochloric acid (HCL) solution (e.g. of normality 1N to 2 N), the formation of aluminum chloride (and water) occurs.However, the mercury-treated aluminum employed in this invention behavesquite differently. There is still the formation of AlCl₃, and otheraluminum compounds, when such is immersed in the HCL solution. However,after a passage of nearly immediately to a few minutes, a white “growth”on the “treated” aluminum surface occurs, which “growth” then “fallsoff” or “flakes off” into a collection device.

Entrapped in these “growth particles”, because of their clathrateproperties (Van Der Waal), are:

-   -   A) Oxygen and hydrogen, in at least one of molecular and ionic        form;    -   B) Aluminum particles, probably in elemental form; and    -   C) Silicon impurities of the aluminum, which silicon has been        changed to the hexagonal structure (Hunter and Robinson).

The aluminum particles are contained in the complex, and stably holdtogether the hydrogen and oxygen (with the hydrogen and oxygen in atleast one of molecular and ionic form). These aluminum particles containactivated hexagonally shaped silicon.

Further, the solution at least contains:

-   -   A) The reaction product of the aluminum and hydrochloric acid in        solution (e.g., Al⁺⁺⁺Cl—H⁺ and OH ions in minor trace amount);        and    -   B) Free “activated aluminum”, probably suspended colloidally,        containing hexagonally structured silicon and also containing        hydrogen and oxygen entrapped therein.

The usefulness of the complex of the present invention will extendvirtually to any application where an improvement in the combustionefficiency and a reduction of emissions is desired, for example by usingthe additive complex in power plants in order to produce electricalpower, or by applying it in homes or institutions to generate heat(e.g., steam producing boilers). The additive's application is easilymanageable and, with minor changes, readily applicable to existing heatproducing installations.

According to this invention, the activated silicon-aluminum complexconsists essentially of hydrogen, oxygen, and minor amounts of aluminumwith activated hexagonally structured silicon.

The complex can be prepared by the following sequence of steps:

-   -   1) Contacting an aluminum metal, having a purity preferably on        the order of at least 99.94% by weight and including at least a        trace amount of silicon, with a source of acid of a type and        concentration which will remove and inhibit the formation of        oxide thereon, simultaneously or thereafter contacting said        aluminum metal with a source of mercury (e.g., gallium or        indium) or, preferably, mercury in an oxygen containing        atmosphere;    -   2) Immersing said mercury-contacted aluminum at least partially        in an acidic solution, containing halogen, to effect a “growth”        of additive particles from said mercury contacted aluminum in        and above said halogen-acidic solution, at a temperature of        between ambient and not more than about 30° C.;    -   3) Collecting the “growth”/additive with a collection device of        some sort before the “growth”/additive falls into or contacts        the acidic halogen solution;    -   4) Adjusting or adding to the acidic halogen solution so as to        maintain the same or near same quality and quantity;    -   5) Mixing the collected “growth”/additive with at least one        carbon-based combustible material prior to combustion in most        cases the amount of “growth”/additive required to accomplish the        desired effect is enough to make up less than 10% by weight of        the final additive and combustible material combination); and    -   6) Combusting the carbon-based combustible material enriched        with the “growth”/additive.

The activated-silicon containing aluminum-hydrogen-oxygen complex ofthis invention can be conveniently prepared and applied, using a sixstage process, although the process is not to be narrowly construed asbeing limited to such.

The first stage (i.e., “phase one”) is the preparation of a materialcontaining silicon impurities (in the current embodiment, the materialis a form of aluminum), and can typically be carried out as follows.

Utilizing the apparatus in FIG. 1, an aluminum bar or rod 1 is placed asshown in vessel 2. The vessel 2 is constructed from any acid-resistantmaterial, (preferably of glass or Plexiglas®), and a layer of halogenacid 3 is placed in the vessel 2 so as to slightly cover the aluminum.In this context, the shape of the aluminum is not critical. However, asingular solid shape is generally preferred., examples of which includebar, rod, and cube shapes. While a powder or pellets may be used, asingular solid shape is preferred because it provides a better surfaceon which for the reaction to take place. The purpose of this acidtreatment is to remove and to inhibit the formation of oxide on thealuminum surface. Hydrochloric acid of the strength/normality of 3 N ispreferably the acid employed for this purpose.

The aluminum should be substantially pure, on the order of at least, butnot limited to, 99.94% pure, and also should also contain amounts ofsilicon on the order of trace to about 45 ppm to about 150 ppm. As apractical matter, whether or not the aluminum is sufficiently pure canbe empirically determined, since an abrupt rise in the temperature(typically caused by impurities reacting with the acid solution)indicates oxide formation and that the aluminum starting material is notsufficiently pure. Such a rise in temperature because of impurities isusually seen in the growth phase using a lower normality acid solution,since the higher normality of the acid in the cleaning/inhibiting stagemay cause a violent reaction irrespective of the aluminum purity.Therefore, for the purpose of this application, the term “substantially”is empirically determinable so as to be capable of being used in theprocess of this invention.

The aluminum is then contacted or coated with mercury or a source ofmercury, preferably by placing the aluminum in a bath of the mercury orsource of mercury (contained in an apparatus similar to the type used tocontain the hydrochloric acid) in the presence of any oxygen containingatmosphere, such as air. In either of these preliminary steps, thetemperature is not narrowly critical, but should not be such as toencourage oxide formation and or chlorine gas. For example, atemperature of greater than about 40° C. would generally encourage oxideformation and or chlorine gas, and therefore be undesirable. Ambienttemperature is satisfactory.

If desired, the acid and mercury contact can be made simultaneously, asshown in FIG. 2. In this figure, the aluminum 1 is immersed in the acidbath 3 and the heavier mercury bath 4, the HCL forming a layer on top ofthe bath of mercury.

Whether the apparatus in FIG. 1 or 2, or arty other suitable apparatusis used, the length of time of the contact with the mercury can beminimal, on the order of about fifteen to thirty minutes (longer contacthowever is not detrimental). Within the context of his invention, themercury acts as a catalyst, which effects a change in the aluminumstructure. This changed structure is referred to as the “Phase one”aluminum.

The second stage (“i.e., “phase two”) involves the formation of anadditive “growth” comprising, in part, the “phase one” aluminum with thealuminum piece partially immersed in an acidic halogen-containingsolution. A particularly preferred suitable halogen solution ishydrochloric acid.

The additive “growth” can be formed in a number of ways, and the methodthereof is not critical in and of itself. For example, as shown in FIG.3, after contact with the mercury bath, the “phase one” treated aluminumpiece 1 is then partially immersed in another vessel 2, containing abath 5 of a halogen acid (e.g., HCL). The halogen acid should havestrength/normality of about 1 normal “N”) to about 2 N, but the actualrange of concentration is empirical.

When the “phase one” aluminum 1 (which is soluble in HCL to some extent)is partially immersed in the acid solution 5 with the remaining part ofthe aluminum 1 above the acid solution 5 and exposed to the oxygencontaining ambient temperature environment, a rather light weight, whiteand light blue in color additive “growth” 10 is formed. The additive“growth” 10 begins as a whitish and bluish particulate growth in and onthe mercury treated and activated aluminum work piece of “phase one”above the surface of the solution 5. This additive “growth” 10 is shownin FIG. 6, wherein the acid solution 5 begins to thicken as the additive“growth” 10 above the solution continues to grow. As shown in FIG. 6, asmore and more additive “growth” 10 particles form, the additive “growth”10 may rise vertically to be about, but not limited to, 16 inches high.

Depending on the size of the aluminum work piece 1 or mount of acidsolution 5 present, the formation of the additive“growth ” 10 cancontinue up to the entire consummation of the “phase one” aluminummaterial. However, it is often necessary to adjust and re-supply theacid solution 5 to maintain a consistent quality and quantity throughout“phase two”.

In “phase two” the temperature should be between ambient and not morethan about 25° C. to 30° C. It should be noted that a sudden adverserise in temperature of the reaction environment during “phase two” couldagain mean that the aluminum starting Material was not sufficientlypure.

Alternatively, though less desirably; the additive “growth” can also bemade “in situ” in the embodiment represented in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG.2, the aluminum work piece is covered by the solution 3 but is alsopartly submerged in the source of mercury 4.

The acid solution needs not cover the aluminum work piece, after oxideformation thereon is prevented or inhibited. A portion of the aluminumwork piece needs to be exposed above the surface of the solution.Whether the solution containing mercury bath continues to coverpartially the surface of the aluminum work piece, or the aluminum workpiece be placed in a separate solution bath, a “growth” of some kind ofcomplex occurs. This “growth” itself in this embodiment is the “phasetwo” additive “growth” of this embodiment. In either case (i.e., thecase of FIG. 2 or that of FIG. 3) the sequence has been followed oftreating an oxide ire aluminum work piece with mercury or a source ofmercury to change the structure of the aluminum work piece and to effectits activation, and then contacting or continuing to contact saidaluminum work piece partially with the acid solution to cause the “phasetwo” additive “growth” formation.

In the additive “growth” formation step, it has been found useful, inorder to avoid undesirable heat from occurring, to position the aluminumwork piece so as to be spaced substantially equidistant from the sidesand bottom of vessel. This equidistant spacing is preferred to be isessentially the same as, or greater than, the diameter of the aluminumbar or rod (a cylindrical rod shape being preferred). It is of coursepossible to inhibit formation of undesirable heat without theabove-indicated special relationship/spacing. In this event, theavoidance of oxides as a consequence of overheating would have to beconstantly monitored in this regard. For example, the treated work piececould be constantly removed, rewashed, reinserted, and recoated withmercury or a source of mercury.

In “phase two”, the additive “growth” is light-weight. It containshydrogen, oxygen, and minor amount of aluminum. The reason for this isthat the “phase one” material has clathrate capabilities (i.e. canentrap or confine the hydrogen and oxygen, most likely as ions, and bebonded stably by the aluminum particles).

While the aforesaid temperature gradients are important when preparingfor the subsequent formation of the additive complex, it should be notedthat the acid solution itself could be formed using somewhat highertemperatures, on the order of up to about 40° C., and also starting withaluminum of slightly lower purity.

The next stage in the process is collecting the additive complex/“groth”(i.e. “phase three”) with a certain device. Examples of such a deviceinclude a divider of some type which separates the additive “growth”from the liquid solution below (see FIG. 6), and/or a constant vacuum ofsome kind which sucks up the growth before it falls into the liquidsolution below (see FIG. 7).

The next stage in the process is maintaining the formation of thecomplex (i.e., “phase four”). This includes adjusting and re-supplyingthe acid solution or “phase two” to maintain the same (i.e., aconsistent) quality and quantity of the acid solution as in “phase two”.

The “phase five” includes mixing the collected additive “growth” with atleast one carbon-based combustible material. The mixing processpreferably should be at a slow speed to prevent a sudden drastic rise intemperature and moisture, and to prevent a breakdown of the additive. Inparticular, the mixing should be done so as not to create too muchfriction, which may cause the hydrogen and oxygen of the additive tocombine into water (H₂0). For example, while hand mixing is suitable,care must be taken with machine mixing as a lab blender used on itsslowest setting was too fast. Accordingly, machines which do not createtoo much friction while mixing are preferable, such as a cement mixer.The mixing should be done to accomplish well homogenization of theadditive and the carbon-based combustible material. In most cases, theamount of additive should be less than 10% by mass but at least 1% bymass of the total additive and combustible material combination, eventhough it is not absolutely limited to such amount. Preferably, theamount of the additive in the final combination should be from 1% to 6%by mass, more preferably from 1.5% to 4% by mass, and most preferablyaround 2% by mass.

The “phase six” is the last of the phases in this embodiment of theinvention. It encompasses the practical ignition combustion of thecarbon-based combustible material containing the additive, and mayinclude:

-   -   1) Executing the delivery of the carbon-based combustible        material enriched with the additive by practical conventional        means to suitable containers (e.g., steam producing boilers);        and    -   2) Igniting the mixture.

The mixture combusts with improved combustion efficiency due to theaddition of the added additive containing hydrogen and oxygen in a highpurity form. No additional oxygen or air is needed, though does not haveto be eliminated.

The combustion will produce no additional emissions as compared tocombustion of the original combustion material without the additive.Furthermore, the combustion will produce reduced emissions due to theaddition of the high purity hydrogen oxygen containing additive (i.e.,hydrogen and oxygen are released from the additive without impuritiessuch as nitrogen contained in normal air). This is a, result of theimproved combustion efficiency which renders the combustion with moreeffective energy output, less left over residues (e.g., fly-ash), andless NOx and SOx formation as emissions.

The hydrogen and oxygen components in the additive should be incombinations that are well balanced to render the additive stable,non-ignitable, and non-explosive. One formula for the additive in theabove embodiment is Al₁₂(H₂O₂)₁₈H₆. However, it has been discovered thatthe “H₆” on the end is not always stable. As a result, some, and evenall, of the hydrogen atoms/ions in the “H₆ ” may not make it into thefinal additive product. Further, it has also been discovered that someof the hydrogen atoms from the “(H₂O₂)₁₈” portion are also not alwaysstable. Thus, while the additive can have a ratio of hydrogen atoms/ionsto oxygen atoms/ions of as high as H₄₂:O₃₆ (i.e., 21:18 or roughly1,1667:1), the ratio may at times he as low as 1:1 hydrogen to oxygen,and has even been tested to be at levels as low as H₁₆O₁₈ (i.e., 8:9 orroughly 0.889:1.000) and H₁₄:O₁₆ (i.e., 7:8 or roughly 0.875:1.000hydrogen to oxygen). As such, the preferred ratio of hydrogen atoms/ionsto oxygen atoms/ions should be between H₁₄:O₁₆ (i.e., roughly0.875:1.000 hydrogen to oxygen) and H₂₁:O₁₈ (i.e., roughly 1.667:1.000hydrogen to oxygen).

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions as defined in the following claims.

Reference Numerals

-   1 aluminum rod or bar-   2 vessel-   3 housing-   4 halogen acid-   5 a source of mercury-   6 solution-   7 structure of silicon impurities-   8 hexagonal structure of the complex growth-   9 collection device-   10 complex growth

1. A combustion additive comprising: hydrogen; oxygen; and a carriermaterial; wherein the hydrogen and oxygen are entrapped in the carriermaterial.
 2. The combustion additive of claim 1; wherein said hydrogenand oxygen is in a somewhat pure form.
 3. The combustion additive ofclaim 1; wherein said hydrogen and oxygen are in an ionic form.
 4. Thecombustion additive of claim 1; wherein the carrier material includesaluminum.
 5. The combustion additive of claim 4; wherein said aluminumcomprises no more than about 2% by weight of said additive.
 6. Thecombustion additive of claim 1; wherein said carrier material includessilicon.
 7. The combustion additive of claim 6; wherein said silicon isactivated.
 8. The combustion additive of claim 6; wherein said carriermaterial includes aluminum; and wherein the silicon is contained in thealuminum.
 9. The combustion additive of claim 1; wherein a ratio ofhydrogen atoms to oxygen atoms is between 7:8 hydrogen to oxygen and21:18 hydrogen to oxygen, so as to render the additive stable,non-ignitable, and non-explosive.
 10. The combustion additive of claim1; wherein said additive does not include any hazardous or toxicimpurities.
 11. The combustion additive of claim 1; wherein saidadditive, when combined with a carbon-based combustible material andcombusted, increases and improves combustion efficiency compared tocombustion without the additive.
 12. The combustion additive of claim 1;wherein said additive, when combined with a carbon-based combustiblematerial and combusted, increases the energy output of the combustioncompared to combustion without the additive.
 13. The combustion additiveof claim 1; wherein said additive, when combined with a carbon-basedcombustible material and combusted, reduces overall emissions producedby the combustion such as SOx, NOx, and CO compared to combustionwithout the additive.
 14. The combustion additive of claim 1; whereinsaid additive, when combined with a carbon-based combustible materialand combusted, produces nearly no additional undesirable new substancesor emissions and leaves nearly no new additional residues, compared tocombustion without the additive.
 15. The combustion additive of claim 1;wherein said additive is in a solid, powdered form, which may be storedand handled without risk of explosion or unintended ignition.
 16. Thecombustion additive of claim 1; wherein said additive is stable, anddoes not include any hazardous or toxic impurities.
 17. The combustionadditive of claim 1; wherein said additive, when combined with acarbon-based combustible material and heat is applied to thecombination, releases the oxygen and hydrogen contained in the additive.18. The combustion additive of claim 1; wherein the additive isconfigured to be transported by nearly all methods of transportation fordry materials, including by trains, trucks, ships, planes, and the like.19-46. (canceled)